Auto-tractor.



RUQN.

AUTO TRACYOB.

ANON H LED JULY 31, 191s.

PPLIC C. F. RUDIN.

AUTO Tf1/MV10?.l

APPLxcATloH FILED JULY 31,1918.

lpg Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fhyafzfor narran santas ramena ortica.

CHARLES F. RODIN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

AUTO-TRACTOR.

T0 all lello/12.# may concern:

Bc itknown that I, (ln una-:s F. Roms', a citizen of the, United States, residing at the. city and county ot' San Francisco and Stato of California. have-invented new and useful Improvements in .-\uto-l`ractors. of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to traction devices, and pertains especially to a tractor attachment for an ordinary automobile or motor vehicle, and one of the objects is to provide an attachment whereby the vehicle may be quickly and easily converted into a tractor ot' thel self-laying track or link belt type, and adapted to agricultual or other uses, and still enable the vehicle to be readily and quickly reconverted into a pleasure ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tractor in which only one driving track is employed, and in which means are `provided for transmitting power to thel driving track from both sides of the diti'erential or the rear driving shaft of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a track supporting frame or mounting. which is adapted to swing freely about the axle housing so that the track may be operated at a maximum etiiciency when passing over hammocks or uneven ground formations. y

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more, fully described and claimed, having reference t0 the accompanying 'drawings in1 which- Figure l is a` View in side elevation of a motor vehicle showing the applicatiomot' the invention. Y

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the trac-tor attachment partly in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail. A indicates the differential housing of`a stainlard form of motor vehicle. 2 tbe axle housing', 3 the brake drums, and -t the spindles of the divided driving shaft. Adapted to be positioned below the axle housing is a frame generally indicated at.v l. 'lhis frame. may be constructed of angle. channel iron or likt` material, and, in this instance` consists of the bars (i, 7. S, t) and lt). which are suitably secured together by rivets or any other means and braced to form a substantial structure as shown at. ll. This frame is secured to the axlel housing by means of a pair of bearing members l2. 'lhese bearing members engage the sprocket shaft 17.

Specification of Letters Patent. Funghi-Qd De@ 1 j 1918. Application filed July 31, 1918.

Serial No. 247.647.

innercal rs of the brake drums. and to this extent secure the frame againstl altered movement on the axle.- housing. The frame is, however. permitted to turn or swing freely about the axle housing for purposes hereinafter to be described.

Journaled in the bearing members 11 secured on the frame bars T. S and 9 is an intermediate shaft 15. and journaled in the bearing members 16, secured to the frame bars S, t) and 10, is a sprocket shaft 17. Adapted to be suitably secured on the axle spindles 1l. one on each end, is av pair of driving pinions 1S. Sec'ured on the intermediate shaft l5 is a pair of gears 19, which intermesh with the pinions 18, and also secured on theu intermediate shaft is ar pinion 20, which intermeshes with a gear 21 secured on Secured on the sprocket shaft is a driving sprocket. 22, and secured on a shaft. 23 carried by bearing members 2t -is an idler wheel vor sprocket 25, which is ypositioned in direct alinement with the driving sprocket 22. Carried ,and driven by the. sprockets 22 and is an endless flexible link track 2G of suitable construction, and journaled at the opposite end ot' the frame is an idler wheel 2T; the chain trac-k 26 and the wheel 27 forming a support for the frame B andthe rear end of the vehicle. The link .track is, in this inst-ance, not only supported by theI sprockets 22 and 25, but also by intermediate platform rollers as shown at 2S. The construction of the link track and the specific mounting ot` the same'forms no'particular part in the present. invention, as any suitable track and support therefor may be provided.

In operation with power transmitted to the rear divided drivingshaft, it can readily be seen that this power is transmitted through the gears 1S, 19. 20 and 21 to the driving sprocket 22. This, in turn. propels or drives the endlesslink track. and. thereby serves as a drivinginember for the same. Any speed desired may be transmitted to the sprocket through the driving shaft and the gears described by the usual transmission with which vehicles of this character are provided.

tractor attachment constructed and attached in the manner described may be caused to easily follow sharp bends or turns in the direction of travel. this being due to the single track employed. This feature gives the tractor a facility and ease of op- .rosult, ily is desir; ble tha flle iacio .bolli ends of bh eration, rendering i useful in many oi service from which other faco oludoil in ordellio permit' o oouuii developed'by tho tractor should "oe o L i to the ,ground :is close :is possible, o the turning point of the di' n mi, in@ www' bai: as shown ai 30 is wie, n'-oclioo lo clio frame beu-s 9 and l0 shown, :fao wat lie traction forca developed will no exoi'oil zu, the turning pom?, of the oizff bm Another advantage of the pieseii construction iS the provision of a inicio? which is pacticularly adapted for use in com ootion with oultivators and the like. Foi il i pose lie tractor .is so constructed duit can travel along the cultivated rowg witiiou inj :ry 'to growing plooi@ and vegoation? @his being due io the single track eA plc/yad; for emmple, it can readily be Seen 'lm ih@ p@ polling track can trav-el along com ows; Witl'iout injury to the sibaning com,

Eliot-lier feature Ao" life iiivonioii provision of 'means for oxo power iansmiad io die roam f' to the driving xiiembei i it li shown, this eilig possibi@ sance, as the t1 Loli is oosl res: toggolior with 112 pi i frame abou ille axle .maximui'i tmctive force io timos Wlietio lle 'moto'f traveling in f5 sti'aiigiii; lino Another mr@ of: aclv cilities provided for conve? vehicle from a' plosuo am" 'vico vera' i. This i5 dile. io il* and the pinions 18v who hielo, and l is lieieoe siii'.

to make any changes Wli presion@ attachment, noi: slioul l i if; time oo consumed, no1Y skillocl labor ieqwi'ocl. Celio seeming of lie l2 il?. .i 3

in their propo? plas@ oomploios ills ment,

also y i changes in omi, propo?. ion :imi tails of conmotion mw ifosoifefl witlof: il @come o hfi Climent for iaiotoi' voi me, i pn of insuring ii'loinborflign i i'ocoivv lli@ iezu :iXlo f the' uio'oi vehicle, salio bearings J 'ki-ing :in oscillating; movamonli of olio e on the wie housing, im endless iioif e. @noli member Support-ing one ond of 'the one? :in idei' Whe-ol supporing lie oppo- VTid of the immo, :md means for ironspoweliiioiii both ends of the. rom' mit olf the, vehicle. io drive tho tzziolz Wing 'track arom both i filo volli lo to drive Cli 

